I have been a life-long student and lover of horses, starting with frequenting plowing contests as a child and riding my first gelding, Chester, to algebra and geometry lessons at a neighboring farm.

I was a teenager when I met Leslie and got to watch her work for the first time. What I saw then, and what I've learned from her since, has continued to inspire me and to shape how I think about and handle the horses I meet.

When Chester foundered years later in 2006, I began an educational and professional journey into the world of hoof care.  I apprenticed with a farrier, and became a student in the AANHCP (then “American Association of Natural Hoof Care Practitioners” now “Association for the Advancement of Natural Horse Care Practices”).

I continue my studies with the Equine Sciences Academy, hoof care practitioners, and other equine professionals around the USA.

From the beginning, I have watched horses with awe. As a dancer, I love watching the way they move.  As a relational thinker, I love watching their interactions with each other and with us. As someone who loves to work with my hands, I love helping to shape their feet towards better function.

In working on hooves for the last 12 years, I've been amazed at their variety, adaptability, and resilience.